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Depth chart reveals starters on rebuilding defense

MANHATTAN — Quarterback was the most publicized position up for grabs on Kansas State’s football team, but several other starting jobs were hotly contested through fall camp.

Defense had the most openings with nine starters gone from last season, and the replacements were revealed Tuesday with the release of the first depth chart prior to the opening game Friday against North Dakota State.

There were few surprises, particularly along the defensive line where all four spots were available. Ryan Mueller and Marquel Bryant will start at the two end positions with Chaquil Reed and Travis Britz at tackle.

“It was very competitive at a number of positions and that has remained the case, however we have identified starters at all positions,” coach Bill Snyder said. “The competition has been pretty fluid during fall camp up front with our front four and has some consistency to it, and at the cornerback position we’ve talked about the same thing. That competition has been good for all of them and it has helped raise the performance level.

“It’s still very competitive,” Snyder said of the cornerbacks. “The competition is not over, not written in stone. They all have something to offer.”

“In all reality, he was right there a year ago so it’s been a collective body of work for Curry over the time period he’s been here,” Snyder said. “He’s been very consistent. He runs routes extremely well, he catches the ball extremely well, he’s a very aggressive player and a good blocker as well as a receiver.”

Boston Stiverson, who made two starts last season, won the right guard spot over returning starter Keenan Taylor and Glenn Gronkowski is the top fullback. Tight end wasn’t definitive, listed as Andre McDonald or Zach Trujillo.

OFF THE ROSTER — Defensive end Devon Nash, a junior college All-American who went through spring practice, has quit the team because of personal reasons.

Nash transferred to K-State last spring from Iowa Western, where he was a teammate of starting quarterback Jake Waters and back-up strong safety Travis Green.

Another player no longer on the team is Topeka product Tomasi Mariner. The back-up offensive tackle from Washburn Rural earned his degree and decided to move on from football.

FRESHMAN PLAN — Snyder expects to redshirt the majority of the freshmen, but there could be a couple of exceptions.

“There’s some dependency on what takes place Friday night that will have an impact on what direction we go,” he said. “Right now, we’re thinking there might be two that we would not redshirt.”

FINDING FOX — Friday’s game will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1, the all-sports network that debuted Aug. 17.